The Last of the Summer Garden

I was delighted to return home and find my garden had blossomed with all the great weather London has had. I even had roses which were still blooming! Even the dark pink rose (a variety called Gloriana) that I had bought at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in July seems to have settled in nicely.

My stroppy wisteria seems to have forgiven me for the trimming I gave her last year when she tried to break into the house. Maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder because, before I left, Miss Wisteria was refusing to grow. She’s back and running rampant over the pergola.

My pleached Photinia shows signs of reaching for each other. I’m hoping next summer they will actually make contact so that they can start weaving together to form my tall hedge. Lots of people have asked me where I got the pleached Photinia. They are from a fabulous company called Folia in Hertfordshire who got me many of my plants. Kate, the nursery manager, at Folia is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

The Calamagrostis x Karl Foerster ornamental grass has gotten so tall. I love the way they flop and sway. The tall grass adds softness to the front garden which also contains the ornamental box. Although the box can hold its own, the Karl Foerster has, however, completely hidden the black grass (Ophiophogan Nigrescens) at the front of the border. I’m thinking of replanting the black grass because it is one of my favourites.

Here are more floppy flowers in the front garden which is underplanting for an ornamental Japanese Acer tree.

Speaking of ornamental grass, here’s another one of my favourites – Blue Fescue. Even though I chose not to bother with a traditional lawn in my titchy garden, I like having all the ornamental grasses.

It’s the been the best welcome-back to sit in the garden this week in the sunshine enjoying the late flowering. What do you enjoy about returning home after a trip? I’d love to hear in the comments below.